London Has A Swish New Shopping District, And Here’s A Little Peek Inside

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“Shop ’til you drop” gets a whole new meaning at Coal Drops Yard.

Kings Cross may be the end of the railway line, but it certainly isn’t the end of the journey. Just ten years ago, it was downtrodden and looking a little bit tired – but since the station’s renovation, the arrival of companies like YouTube and (soon) Google, and a little bit of sprucing up, the place is becoming pretty desirable. Now, the arrival of Coal Drops Yard marks the next chapter in Kings Cross’ development, as it’s set to become a stellar addition to London’s lineup of shopping areas when it opens on October 26th.

It also happens to be rather beautiful. Designed by the renowned Heatherwick Studio, Coal Drops Yard is all swooping curves, reclaimed industrial spaces, and dramatic glass panels. It takes over the site, and the name, of the Victorian yard set up in 1850 to handle the arrival of coal from the north, and will now enjoy a second life as an upmarket shopping destination. All in all, it’s a rather striking addition to the Granary Square area, and that’s before we even get to what’s inside it.

The first wave of openings at Coal Drops Yard include some rather fancy shops, including Fred Perry, Tracy Neuls, and Wolf & Badger. Following them in the coming months are the likes of COS, Finisterre, and Malin & Goetz, so you’ll probably want to wait for payday before scheduling a visit here. Aiming to further Kings Cross as a dining destination, the space welcomes established spots like Barrafina and Morty & Bobs, along with new projects like Casa Pastor (the new venue from the El Pastor team) and a wine bar named The Drop. Most excitingly, three Michelin star chef Alain Ducasse will open the first London branch of his legendary Parisian chocolate shop, Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse, at Coal Drops Yard. Sweet news indeed!

Also opening in the development is Lower Stable Street, which will house special events, brand workshops, and “immersive shopping experiences” (we’ll leave it up to you to figure out how and why shopping isn’t already an immersive experience). You’ll be able to go exploring when Coal Drops Yard throws open its doors at 12pm tomorrow morning. Or, if you fancy it, they’re throwing a big launch party on the evening of November 1st, with live music, light installations, and special in-shop events. Hey, you’ve waited this long for the Drops, you can wait a little longer…